ESTROGEN THERAPY OF AGITATED DEPRESSIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE MENOPAUSE

The endocrine therapy of the agitated depressions occurring in association with the menopause has aroused interest in the past. Early experiments appeared to promise some success, but when these results could not be confirmed an attitude of pessimism developed. In recent years interest has been revived with the production of more potent extracts and the synthesis of estrogens. In the present paper the results obtained with these new products will be reviewed and 7 new cases, in which 4,4′-dihydroxy-α-β-diethylstilbene (hereafter referred to as diethylstilbestrol) was used in treatment, will be reported. An attempt has been made to include all the papers published in the more easily accessible English language journals during the seven years ending Dec. 31, 1940. REVIEW OF LITERATURE Casual reading of the literature suggests that no very consistent results have been obtained. Some writers have attributed their success to specific therapy; others who have been less fortunate